Henry boschen



(No Model.)

H. BOSOHEN, BILLIARD AND POOL TABLE POCKET.

Patented May 16, 1882.

z IN VENTO R ATTORNEY UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENav-BoscHnN, on NEW YORK, N. Y.

BILLIARD AN D POOL TABLE POCKET.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 257,917, dated May 16, 1882.

Application filed March 27. 1885.. (No model.)

inventedcertain new and usefullmprovements' in Billiard and Pool Table Pockets, of which the following is a specification.

The object of this invention is to furnish an improved pocket for billiard and pool tables, which pocket is readily expanded when a nunr ber of balls are played into the same and contracted again when they are removed. The pocket shows instantly the balls collected therein, andcan be manufactured with less material and consequently at a less cost than the pockets heretofore in use. I

The invention consists of a pocket for billiard and pool tables which is made of a leather blank that is cut by longitudinal lines of alternating slits so as to form an expansible pocket. The blank is attached by means of shorter strips or fingers at its inner side and by longer exterior strips or fingers to the frame and irons of the billiard-table, and by means of short slots and a cord to a grooved ring which forms the bottom of the pocket.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a top view, and Fig. 2 a vertical transverse section on line or a, Fig. 1, of my improved pocket for billiard and pool tables and Fig. 3 is a plan view of a blank from which the same is made.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts Referring to the drawings, A represents the blank from which my improved billiard and pool table pocket is made. The blank A is made of good tough leather of the form shown in Fig. 3, and provided with short slits a, that are arranged in lines parallel to the longitudinal center line of the blank, but in such a manner that the slits of adjoining lines alternate with each other. In this manner the blank, when applied for use, is capable of eX- pansion as the slits of the blank allow the pocket to spread in lateral direction to such an extent that a number of balls can be stored up therein. The leather blank A is applied by the strips or fingers b b D which are formed at the upper end to the frame and irons of the table. The shorter fingers, b, are nailed to the frame of the table, while the intermediate strips or fingers, Z), are nailed to the ends of the rails, and the exteriorlonger fingers, W, are sewed to the leather covers of the irons let into the outer rail of the table, as shown in Fig. 2. Short slits e are cut into the strips or fingers d, at the lower edge of the blank A, through which slits a cord is passed for at taching the lower fingers, d, to the grooved ring f, that forms the bottom of the billiardpocket. Around the lower strips, 01, the ornamental bottom fringe of the pocket is applied. The inner edges of the blank are tied together in any suitable manner before it is applied to the table, so as to prevent the escape of the balls at the inner side of the pockets. The pocket can take up a large number of balls, as it will readily expand accordingly and. resume its original shape when the balls are removed, in which case the pocket is contracted by the weight of the bottom ring.

By cutting the leather blank in the manner described a comparatively small piece of material furnishes a pocket of considerable size when expanded, which is more durable and less easily torn orinjured, than the pockets heretofore in use. p

I am aware that pockets for billiard and pool tables have been made from a perforated piece of sheet material, provided with fingers or pendants that are secured to the center ring, forming the bottom of the pocket, and I therefore do not claim this feature, broadly. These pockets, however, did not change their shape, while my pockets expand as the balls are played in and contract when they are re moved. This is the essential feature of my improved pocket, whereby it becomes more useful, handier, and more attractive.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. As a new article of manufacture, apocket for billiard and pool tables, constructed from a leather blank which is provided with longitudinal and alternating lines of short slits, whereby the pocket is capable of expansion and contraction when in use, substantially as set forth.

2. A blankfor billiard and pool table pocket-s, provided with parallel longitudinal lines of slits, which slits alternate with each other, and interior shorter strips or fingers at the the blank having end fingers and strips of upper edge for attachment to the rail and greater length atthe middle that at the sides, irons, and slitted fingers or strips at the lower substantially as set forth. edge for attachment to the bottom ring, sub- 3. A blank for billiard and pool table poekstantially as set forth. ets, having alternating longitudinal slits a, i In testimony that I claim the foregoing as upper end strips or fingers, b 12 b and lower my invention I have signed my name in presfingers, d,h:wing short slits e, substantially as ence of two subscribing witnesses. I specified. HENRY BOSOHEN.

4. A pocket for billiard and pool tables, constructed of a blank having alternating longitudinal slits, exterior longer strips or fingers,

Witnesses:

PAUL GOEPEL, SIDNEY MANN. 

